The grand opening of the new ShopRite in Manahawkin marks more than just the arrival of a state of the art grocery store for our community. It represents the continuation of a decades long commitment to fighting hunger and supporting local families in need.

For years, ShopRite, through both Saker ShopRites and Wakefern Food Corporation, has been a dedicated partner of Fulfill, the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Fulfill works tirelessly to alleviate hunger and build food security by supplying more than 300 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters, while also connecting families to essential resources that promote long term stability.

Saker ShopRites have supported Fulfill since 2010, contributing more than $425,000 in lifetime giving. Their generosity has helped fund major initiatives, including the establishment of Fulfill’s BEAT Center and the current Path to Plenty Warehouse Expansion. These projects were designed to increase capacity and better serve neighbors facing food insecurity. In 2011, Richard and Laura Saker were honored with Fulfill’s annual Humanitarian Award in recognition of their leadership and dedication.

Beyond individual store contributions, Wakefern Food Corporation, the cooperative of which all Saker ShopRite stores are members, has provided more than $6.7 million in charitable support to Fulfill since 1999. Much of this support comes through Wakefern’s Partners in Caring program, the annual Check Out Hunger campaign that engages customers at the register, and direct grants that help sustain Fulfill’s critical programming.

The opening of the Manahawkin ShopRite reinforces this powerful partnership between business and community. As Fulfill continues its mission to end hunger in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, strong corporate partners like ShopRite and Wakefern remain essential to expanding impact and reaching more families in need.

At The Causeway Family of Dealerships, supporting local nonprofits is at the heart of what we do. With Marketing Director Joe Stroffolino proudly serving as the Vice-Chair of Fulfill’s Board of Trustees, this partnership is especially meaningful to our organization. Seeing community focused businesses like ShopRite invest in hunger relief aligns perfectly with our mission to give back and strengthen the communities we serve.

The new ShopRite in Manahawkin is not just a place to shop. It is part of a larger network of generosity, collaboration, and shared responsibility. Together, through partnerships like these, we are building a stronger and more food secure future for our neighbors.